Free TV Australia today released its new Code of Practice that bans gambling advertising during live sports shown before 8.30pm.

The Code has been registered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and will come into effect from 30 March 2018.

Free TV CEO Bridget Fair said, “Free TV is focused on ensuring that our Code of Practice meets community expectations, including in relation to gambling advertising.”

Free TV has amended the Commercial Television Code of Practice to ban gambling ads in live sport broadcasts between 5am- 8.30pm, and during a five-minute buffer before and after the event.

“These new restrictions will prevent gambling advertising being broadcast during live sports at times that children are likely to be watching,” Fair said.